Mark Harris, chairman of the Northern Premier League (NPL), was involved in the spat after FC United of Manchester – the breakaway club formed by Manchester United supporters in opposition to the Glazers in 2005 – were told a pivotal home match was being moved to a neutral venue.
FC United will now play Stockton – a match which could decide their promotion hopes – at Curzon Ashton FC in Ashton-under-Lyne, rather than at Broadhurst Park, their regular ground.
The i Paper understands FC stand to potentially lose tens of thousands in matchday revenue, with the game now taking place on Tuesday 21 April. They initially proposed an alternative solution, which would involve playing at Broadhurst Park with Curzon Ashton as a back-up, but that was rejected by the league.
Harris, meanwhile, could face a significant fine for using abusive language.
The league deemed Broadhurst Park unsuitable to host the match, which had already been postponed several times due to weather conditions, despite FC hosting another fixture against Hyde United just three days earlier.
It is understood there are also concerns from other clubs vying with Stockton for the play-offs, now that the Durham-based side do not have to travel to one of the largest capacity grounds in the non-league pyramid.
FC United had expressed further concern because they will now have to play on an artificial 3G pitch at Curzon Ashton – similar to the surface Stockton are used to playing on at home.
“The decision taken by yourselves to move what will be our final game to a neutral venue is diabolical,” the original e-mail to Harris read, accusing him of “making a laughing stock out of the integrity of this competition.
“You are now disadvantaging the other competing teams for the play-offs by providing an advantage to Stockton. You should be ashamed of yourselves and you best believe you created a fire for us FC United supporters that as you are well aware, will not be put out.
“The quicker you stand down from the board and proper governance is put into place, the better for the integrity of the competition.”
FC United were informed of the change late at night via e-mail, with the fixture moved according to section 8.7.2. of the FA’s rules.
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The i Paper understands there was initially some suggestion of moving the match to Stockton’s own home ground at Bishopton Road West, but that was also rejected.
FC United chairman Nick Boom said the club was “disappointed with the decision”, with Harris having suggested a neutral venue was “the most appropriate outcome” that would “take into account the interests of both FC United of Manchester and Stockton Town.”
A further NPL board meeting will take place on Friday.
